CHAPTER XIV 

 SILOS AND SILAGE 



"But let the good old corn adorn 

 The fields our fathers trod; 

 And let us, for the golden corn 

 Send up our thanks to God." 



T^HE cement silo is growing steadily in favor. 

 It is comparatively easy to construct and has 

 a nice appearance on a farm. While costing more 

 than a wooden one, the cement is so much more 

 durable that in the end it is cheaper. When made 

 with the hollow cement blocks, the danger of 

 injury by frost to the silage next the wall is les- 

 sened. The silage keeps perfectly if the corn goes 

 in in good condition. 



At present the most popular kind of silo is the 

 solid cement wall, usually 9 inches thick at the 

 base and 6 inches at the top. Small field stones 

 are imbedded in the cement as a filler, the inner 

 and outer surfaces of the wall being smoothly fin- 

 ished with the cement. To make the silo air and 

 water tight, after finishing, whitewash it with clear 

 cement. A pointed roof gives the silo a much bet- 

 ter appearance than a flat roof and is more con- 

 venient. A cement or stone silo should receive 



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